Abstract: The invention provides fusion proteins comprising antigens of infectious disease agents and cancer cells linked to multiple-trimer forms of TNF SuperFamily (TNFSF) ligands. The TNFSFs serve as vaccine adjuvants for increasing the immune response to the antigens. In particular, a fusion polypeptide strand that self-assembles inside cells into a multiple-trimer form of CD40 ligand (CD40L, TNFSF5) is provided. Other similar fusion proteins are also disclosed. The fusion proteins can be delivered to a host as isolated proteins, as nucleic acids used directly in DNA vaccination or carried and expressed by a viral vector such as adenovirus. In addition to use as a vaccine to prevent or ameliorate disease caused by an infectious agent, compositions of the invention may be used for the treatment of ongoing infection or for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a stream of image frames depicting a structure in a scene are obtained. The stream of image frames may comprise first image frames from a first imaging device and second image frames from a second imaging device. Using the first image frames and the second image frames, a wireframe of at least a portion of the structure is generated. From the wireframe, as-built dimensions may be identified, materials estimates may be determined, and/or data for a fabrication device may be generated, for example.

Abstract: A LAN switch has a backplane matrix in which each controller has a dedicated packet bus for propagating packet data. Each bus has a root interfacing with the transmitting (root) controller and a plurality of leaves interfacing with receiving (leaf) controllers. This configuration enables each controller to simultaneously transmit packet data on the root of a bus and receive packet data off a plurality of leaves of other buses without contention. An efficient filtering and stalling system employed at the receive side of the backplane prevents the highly parallel traffic from causing receive side congestion.

Abstract: A user authentication service for a communication network authenticates local users before granting them access to personalized sets of network resources. Authentication agents on intelligent edge devices present users of associated end systems with log-in challenges. Information supplied by the users is forwarded to an authentication server for verification. If successfully verified, the authentication server returns to the agents authorized connectivity information and time restrictions for the particular authenticated users. The agents use the information to establish rules for filtering and forwarding network traffic originating from or destined for particular authenticated users during authorized time periods. An enhanced authentication server may be engaged if additional security is desired. The authorized connectivity information preferably includes identifiers of one or more virtual local area networks active in the network.